ASHFALL AFTERMATH. An okra (ladies’ finger) plantation in Camalig, Albay, shows severe damage from Mayon Volcano’s heavy ashfall in this photo taken on May 3, 2026. The Department of Agriculture reported initial agricultural damage of PHP6.63 million, with the hardest-hit areas in several Mayon Unit barangays. (Photo courtesy of Camalig Mayor Carloy Baldo FB page)
LEGAZPI CITY – The Department of Agriculture in Bicol (DA-5) has prepositioned more than PHP398 million in assistance for farmers and fisherfolk affected by Mayon Volcano’s heavy ashfall, even as initial agricultural damage reached PHP6.63 million.
DA-5 recorded 15.35 hectares of high-value crops as totally damaged, with production loss of 83.60 metric tons valued at PHP6.51 million. Livestock and poultry losses reached PHP121,400, affecting at least 62 farmers and fisherfolk.
DA-5 spokesperson Lovella Guarin said the Albay Veterinary Office (AVO) distributed initial interventions to animal raisers on May 3.
“The Bicol veterinarians, in coordination with the AVO, will also conduct veterinary missions for animal rescue, relocation, and health monitoring, including surveillance in livestock pooling areas,” she said in an interview.
Guarin said the agency is conducting animal surveillance in pooling areas in close coordination with affected local government units (LGUs).
“This is a precautionary measure to prevent farmers from returning to their fields within the six-kilometer permanent danger zone while Mayon remains under Alert Level 3,” she added.
She said affected farmers have been assisted in applying for indemnification through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation.
“Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk (PAFF) will also be distributed in Albay in the coming days. The PHP20-per-kilo rice will also be made available in Albay following a rollout by the Food Terminal Inc. last week,” Guarin said.
Daily monitoring of agricultural commodity prices continues, with no significant price increases recorded so far.
The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Bicol reported that ashfall affected 138 hectares of agricultural land in Ligao City across several irrigation systems. The Upper Libod irrigation system recorded the largest affected area at 53 hectares, while other systems accounted for the remaining 85 hectares.
NIA-5 said it continues to monitor and validate activities in coordination with LGUs and irrigators’ associations to determine the full extent of damage and necessary interventions.
In Daraga, Albay, the Sangguniang Bayan (Municipal Board) has approved “certified urgent” resolutions requesting financial and livelihood assistance for farmers in five barangays affected by Mayon’s unrest.
The resolutions seek support from the DA and the office of Senator Francis Pangilinan, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, following damage from the May 2 pyroclastic density current (PDC) event. (PNA)